Maharashtra to go green through public participation

The Maharashtra government wants every villager in the state to plant at least one tree each. The government has launched a scheme called 'Eco Village' to preserve the environment and promote hygiene and cleanliness in the villages by announcing them financial assistance if they fulfill certain c

The Maharashtra government wants every villager in the state to plant at least one tree each. The government has launched a scheme called 'Eco Village' to preserve the environment and promote hygiene and cleanliness in the villages by announcing them financial assistance if they fulfill certain conditions.

The scheme will be implemented for three years with an aim to plant 6.25 crore trees, equal to the state's rural population.

Rural Development minister Jayant Patil announced the scheme on Thursday. He insisted that the scheme has been launched to take the Government's green message to the grass-root level.

"Under the scheme the gram panchayats will be assisted financially to promote the plantation of trees if they fulfill several conditions. We are looking to provide the villages with ecological, qualitative basic amenities. Permanent progress of the villages will be initiated keeping in mind ecological well-being," Patil said.

This project revolves around planting trees, starting at a basic rate of 50 trees for every 100 people in a village in the first year. The second year will include plantation of trees, which will be about 25 per cent of the population of the village in order to receive the appropriate grants and the third year will see another set of tree plantation, the quantity being 50 percent of the population.

A village, which has a population of 1000, will receive an amount of Rs two lakh on completion of the set task, while a village with a population of 1000 to 5000 will get Rs three lakh. A village with population of 5000 to 10000 will be given Rs eight lakh and while a population of 10000 or more will receive an amount of Rs 10 lakh.

For the purpose of this scheme, the Government will appoint district wise committees to evaluate its implementation. The scheme also looks to spread the message of a hygienic and clean environment by completely avoiding the use of plastic bags and using storm-water drainage system. They will also be looking to install CFL and LED streetlights which will reduce the consumption of electricity.

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